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Losses and Gains of Psychosocial Resources: Effects on Stress Among Women Undergoing Infertility Treatments and Participating in Social Network Systems

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Abstract

This theory-driven study assessed the association between infertility-related stress and perceived losses of psycho-social resources; and the buffering effect of resource gains and type of infertility (primary/secondary) on this relationship, among women who participate in online infertility-related social network systems (SNS). Ninety women participating in infertility-related SNS completed online questionnaires assessing resource losses and gains and stress levels. Results: Resource loss significantly predicted stress (β = .66, p < .001). Resource loss and the number of children were correlated negatively (r = −.22, p < .05). Residency was significantly related to resource loss (r = −.23, p < .05) and perceived stress (r = −.23, p < .05). Israeli participants reported lesser resource loss and lesser perceived stress, compared to participants from other countries. Surprisingly, neither resource gains related to SNS participation nor infertility-type served as moderators in the relationship between resource loss and stress. The association between resource loss and stress supports COR theory formulation of stress etiology. However, while participants noted significant resource gains from use of SNS, these did not buffer the effects of resource loss on stress. Thus, although it may be enticing to turn to SNS for social support, individuals with infertility need to be encouraged to use face-to-face social support too.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel

    Leigh Chazan & Talma Kushnir

Authors
  1. Leigh Chazan
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  2. Talma Kushnir
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Correspondence to Talma Kushnir.

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The authors have no potential conflicts of interest.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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All procedures performed in this study involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Appendix

Appendix

Extent of Loss of Psycho-social Resources – descending order

Resource

Mean

Std. Deviation

Energy vitality

1.82

1.287

Hope regarding my fertility situation

1.69

1.396

Feeling I have control over my body

1.54

1.311

Feeling I have control over my life

1.52

1.303

Participation in social activities

1.52

1.417

Quality of life

1.51

1.369

Good routine

1.46

1.336

Being able to fulfill the religious obligation to procreate

1.36

1.683

My health

1.33

1.174

Hope regarding a positive outcome from treatments

1.31

1.427

Positive feelings about myself

1.27

1.399

Adequate time for leisure

1.27

1.292

Financial security

1.20

1.310

Feeling of being a valued member in my community

1.11

1.402

Support from friends

1.04

1.429

Support from family

0.98

1.406

Marital satisfaction

0.87

1.301

Support from online forum members

0.86

1.338

Support from my partner

0.81

1.324

Extent of Gains of Psycho-social Resources

Resource

Mean

Std. Deviation

Sharing my problems with people who are like myself

2.66

1.485

Feeling that I am normal

2.62

1.373

Freedom of expression including negative emotions

2.59

1.406

Information about infertility and related medical procedures

2.56

1.470

Constant availability of peers and people who can relate to me

2.56

1.400

A sense of belonging and community

2.52

1.456

Support from forum members

2.46

1.409

Convenient peer group

2.44

1.416

Important information about treatment

2.32

1.460

Feeling empowered

2.29

1.401

Hope regarding a positive outcome from treatments

2.14

1.387

Appreciation of my situation

2.12

1.397

Hope regarding my infertility situation

2.08

1.293

Humility

2.02

1.453

Positive feelings about myself

1.87

1.258

Marital satisfaction

1.82

1.553

Support from medical staff

1.71

1.455

Physical comfort

1.53

1.393

Spirituality

1.45

1.507

Break from infertility preoccupation

1.31

1.404

Energy vitality

1.31

1.372

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Chazan, L., Kushnir, T. Losses and Gains of Psychosocial Resources: Effects on Stress Among Women Undergoing Infertility Treatments and Participating in Social Network Systems. Psychiatr Q 90, 717–732 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-019-09661-0

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